A Handy Guide on Academic Writing

Regardless of discipline, writing an academic paper can be extremely challenging. Most importantly, you need to set in what direction to move in order to reach the desired results. Thus, here are some effective tips on how to write a genuinely great academic piece of writing.

Plan Your Time

When it comes to academic writing, the most important factor is time management, since leaving not enough time will lead to a rushed paper or a missed deadline. Not planning your time means doing everything during the last night. Whether you are given a week, a month, or a year, you need to make sure that you have a clear and structured plan.

Select a Good Topic

It is very important to choose a topic that you truly enjoy. However, do not pick a wide topic, since it might be hard to focus on what to write. Therefore, it is worth spending some time and efforts in order to do some preliminary research and choose the topic you will be able to develop.

Write a Balanced Thesis Statement

The bedrock of any academic writing is an appropriate thesis statement that is neither too broad nor too concise. A good thesis statement should give you enough room to develop your ideas. Once you have refined your research, it is acceptable to change your thesis statement. There is nothing wrong with admitting the flaws of your paper and making the required adjustments.

Excellent Sources

Make sure that you have relevant and up-to-date sources in order to write your paper. Some people take only one or two solid sources as a base. However, it is recommended to integrate plenty of sources so that you can prove your ideas, especially when you are writing a persuasive or argumentative paper. It is great to base your paper around a profound array of sources.

Make a Clear Outline

Depending on the type of essay, your task is to make a robust outline so that you are able to develop your paper. Even though there is no exact formula of writing a plan, your introduction, body and conclusion should be included into the outline.

Take Breaks

Once you have completed your first draft, leave it for some days and then come back to it. Only with fresh eyes, you will see the flaws of your paper and, consequently, will be able to make the necessary changes.

Always Proofread

Your aim should be to complete your paper a few days before the deadline so that you have an opportunity to make some improvements. Believe it or not, you will find plenty of silly little errors that you didn’t pay attention to. You can even ask someone to proof your writing in order to make sure the language is impeccable.

Whether you need to write an essay or a dissertation, refer to these tips that will help you write any type of work successfully.